Julie Tagg| Think and Write for CSEC English A and B

Essay Question

Viola is the protagonist of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”

With close reference to the play, discuss the role of Viola and her contribution to one of the themes. You should also assess the dramatic effect that her character has in the play.

Viola, the protagonist of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, is a highly significant character whose role is pivotal to the development of the play. Her character is multifaceted and complex, and her interactions with other characters in the play have a profound impact on the plot, theme, and dramatic effect of the play.

Viola’s initial presentation as a young woman who is shipwrecked on the shores of Illyria and forced to disguise herself as a man named Cesario to survive, sets the stage for her gender-bending disguise, which is the source of much of the play’s comedy. Her struggles to navigate the various romantic entanglements of the other characters while maintaining her own secret, creates a dynamic that contributes to the play’s overall comedic tone.

Viola’s disguise also serves as a catalyst for the play’s themes of identity, desire, and love. Her transformation from a helpless, shipwrecked victim to a confident, assertive young woman is central to the play’s plot, and her character is instrumental in resolving the play’s conflicts. Her character arc and journey display her growth, and the dynamic between her and the other characters provides an exploration of the nature of identity, desire, and love.

Viola’s character is also significant for its dramatic effect. As Cesario, Viola is able to interact with the other characters in ways that she could not as a woman. Her disguise allows her to move freely through the male-dominated world of Illyria, and her gender-bending performance allows her to challenge traditional notions of gender roles and expectations. Her witty wordplay and clever misdirection, and her ability to outsmart the other characters, adds to the play’s overall comedic tone.

One of the essential themes that emerge from Viola’s interactions with the other characters in the play is the nature of desire and the complications that arise from the pursuit of love. Viola’s unrequited love for Orsino, who is himself in love with Olivia, creates a complex web of desire and longing that drives much of the play’s action. Viola’s interactions with Olivia, who becomes infatuated with Cesario, further complicate the play’s romantic entanglements and raise questions about the nature of love and attraction.

In conclusion, Viola is a highly significant character in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, whose role is pivotal to the development of the play. Her gender-bending disguise, her interactions with the other characters, and her role in driving the play’s themes and conflicts all contribute to the dramatic effect of the play. Viola’s character serves as a reminder that Shakespeare’s plays often subvert traditional gender roles and expectations, and her story offers a powerful exploration of desire, love, and identity that remains relevant to modern audiences.